
Canada
/ Italy : Sierra Wireless announced it has signed an agreement with
Onda Communication Spa to distribute a new EDGE (Enhanced Data rates
for Global Evolution) wireless wide area network PC Card for use on
the Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications),
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and EDGE Network. This commercial
launch of the ONDA EDGE/GPRS N775 PC Card marks the worldwide premiere
of Sierra Wireless' EDGE product line.
The ONDA
N775, manufactured by Sierra Wireless, is a third-generation (3G)
quad-band wireless wide area network card operating on 850/900/1800/1900
MHz frequencies, which allows for worldwide roaming on GSM, GPRS,
and EDGE networks. It offers typical data speeds of between 100 and
130 kbps, with bursts of up to 216 kbps when used on EDGE networks
- up to three times the speed of a GPRS connection. The card is also
compatible with existing GSM and GPRS networks, for widespread access
in areas where an EDGE network is not available.
"We are committed
to providing our customers with industry leading wireless products
to improve efficiencies, and developing products for faster wireless
wide area networking technologies like EDGE is a key part of that
commitment," said Derek Evans, Vice President and Managing Director
for Sierra Wireless, EMEA. "We are pleased to join forces with
Onda Communication to deliver EDGE data services to mobile professionals
in Italy."
"Sierra Wireless
has established a reputation for developing products that offer best-in-class
performance and reliability," said Michelangelo Agrusti Marketing
and Sales Senior Vice President for Onda Communication. "The
ONDA N775 card offers key performance features, such as quad-band
operation for the widest possible global roaming capability and Multislot
Class 12 for the fastest possible data transfer rates, that make it
the best choice for more demanding wireless data users."
The ONDA EDGE/GPRS
N775 PC Card can be seamlessly integrated into Microsoft Windows-based
notebook computers or handheld devices with a Type II PC Card slot.
Other features include:
- Quad-band operation
for roaming worldwide
- Multislot Class
12 functionality for maximum possible data transfer rates
- Average connection
speeds of 100 kbps to 130 kbps, with bursts up to 216 kbps
- True Network
Interface Card (NIC) operation, plus Dial-Up Networking (DUN) modes
- Field
firmware upgradeable.